Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise

Abstract

A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and / or the security device after a predetermine period of time. A counter inactivates the programmable key after a predetermined maximum number of activations.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 169,968, filed on Jun. 27, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 770,321, filed on Apr. 29, 2010, and now U.S. Pat. No. 7,969,305, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 639,102, filed on Dec. 14, 2006, and now U.S. Pat. No. 7,737,846, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 753,908, filed on Dec. 23, 2005, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to security systems and methods for protecting merchandise from theft, and in particular, to a security system and method including a programmable key that is programmed with a security code from a programming station and is subsequently used to program and / or operate an alarm module attached to an item of merchandise.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Retail stores use numerous type...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In one aspect, the present invention provides a security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise including a programmable key for arming and disarming an alarm module or other security device attached to the item of merchandise. The key is programmable with a unique security code, referred to herein as a Security Disarm Code (SDC), which code is provided to the key by a programming station. The SDC is unique to a particular retail store, thereby preventing a key from being used at a different retail store than the one from which the key is stolen.

Problems solved by technology

A known problem with such security systems is that the keys may be stolen from the retail store and used at the same store or at another store using the same type of alarm module or other security device, to enable a shoplifter to disarm the alarm module or to unlock the security device from the merchandise.

Keys may also be stolen by a dishonest employee and used by the employee in an unauthorized manner or passed to a shoplifter for use at the same store or at another store having the same type of alarm module or security device controlled by the key.

It is extremely difficult to prevent the theft of security system keys by shoplifters or dishonest employees within a retail store due to the large number of keys that must be made available to store personnel in various departments of the store to facilitate use of the numerous alarm modules and other security devices needed to protect the valuable items of merchandise on display in the retail store.

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